On June 25, 2026, the UAE visa-on-arrival just expanded  eligibility to passport holders from the Philippines, Thailand, South Africa, Indonesia, Kenya, and Vietnam. There’s a catch up for lot of travellers: your nationality alone won’t get you through immigration. You also need a valid residence permit, visa, or Green Card from one of nine approved countries. Understand that part wrong and you’ll be turned back to book standard tourist visa instead. 

Here’s what changed, who actually qualifies, what it costs, and how to avoid getting caught out at the airport.

What Changed on June 25, 2026

The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security introduced the UAE visa on arrival new rules, by adding six nationalities to the programme: Philippines, Thailand, South Africa, Indonesia, Kenya, and Vietnam. Passport holders from these countries can now choose between a UAE 14 day visa on arrival or a UAE 60 day visa on arrival, without applying online first. You need a current residence permit, visa, or Green Card issued by the US, UK, an EU member state, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, or South Korea. 

Which Six Countries Were Added?

These are the UAE visa on arrival eligible countries 2026:

  • Philippines
  • Thailand
  • South Africa
  • Indonesia
  • Kenya
  • Vietnam

Before ti change, ordinary passport holders from above listed countries needed a pre-arranged visa before flying before this update. That meant weeks of paperwork, an online, waiting on approval before booking anything, and an online application. Now, the things has changed. You can skip that if you hold a qualifying residence permit. Accompanying family members traveling with you can usually get the same procedure, offered they meet the same conditions.

Read more on how this compares to the standard route in our guide to UAE visa on arrival versus eVisa.

Filipino travellers can find country-specific detail in our Dubai visa guide for Filipino travellers. Thai nationals should see our dedicated Dubai visa guide for Thai passport holders.

How Much Does It Cost? 14-Day vs 60-Day Visa on Arrival

This includes the UAE visa on arrival fee 2026:

Feature 14-Day 

60-Day 

Fee 

AED100 AED250 

Extendable 

Yes, once (verify ICP fee) 

No 

Entry Single 

Single

Best For Short trips

Longer visits 

Always verify the current fees with ICP before travel. Check our UAE visa validity vs extension guide and also know about the visa extension rules to get more on finger tips.

How the Process Works at the Airport

There’s no online form to fill out in advance. You handle everything t passport control on arrival.

  1. Land at any UAE airport such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or another port of entry
  2. Submit your passport at immigration
  3. Show your qualifying residence permit, visa, or Green Card
  4. Choose the 14-day or 60-day option
  5. Pay the fee at counter
  6. Receive your entry stamp and go.

No need for embassy visit, digital submission, and waiting period. Check our Dubai Airport Arrival Guide to know more about the procedures.

What If You Don’t Have a Qualifying Residence Permit?

This programme simply doesn’t apply to you, if you don’t have one of those nine qualifying residence permits. You’ll need to arrange a standard UAE visa on arrival requirements don’t cover, meaning a full tourist visa before departure, the same way travellers have done for years. Apply for your Dubai visa online well before your travel dates, so that you don’t need to scramble close to departure. Use our UAE visa eligibility checker to confirm your status before booking flights. 

Overstay Rules Under the New Policy

Always leave before your visa expires. The 14-day visa can be extended once, but not the 60-day version. You have to leave, once your 60-day visa is done. The overstay fines can start from the moment that your visa expires as AED 50 per day, and also you check the current penalty with ICP directly, since these amount can change. Full details on extending your stay are in our UAE visa extension guide to know more about it.

Why Did the UAE Make This Change?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs tied the expansion to strengthening bilateral relations with these 6 countries. Officials pointed to tourism growth, business travel, and easier movement for diaspora communities as the practical drivers behind the decision. Before you book, check your UAE visa eligibility. 

What This Means If You’re From the Philippines, Thailand, or South Africa

Philippines:

The UAE hosts one fo the largest overseas Filipino communities in the world. Many OFWs hold residence permits in Gulf states instead od the nine qualifying countries listed above, and that difference is matters. A GCC residence permit alone won’t unlock visa on arrival Philippines UAE, it has to be one of the nine countries.

Thailand:

Thai travellers who needed a pre-arranged visa for every Dubai trip before can now now get visa on arrival Thailand UAE entry, as long as they’re holding one of the qualifying permits when they land.

South Africa: 

This is benefit for families who’re travelling together in particular. If the primary raveller qualifies for visa on arrival South Africa UAE entry and family members are included on the trip, the same route applies to the whole group. Family-specific guidance is available in our Dubai visa guide for South African families.

FAQs

Q. Who is eligible for the new UAE visa-on-arrival rule? 

A. Ordinary passport holders from the Philippines, Thailand, South Africa, Indonesia, Kenya, or Vietnam who also hold a valid residence permit, visa, or Green Card from one of nine approved countries. 

Q. When did this rule take effect? 

A. June 25, 2026, as announced by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ICP.

Q. How much does the UAE visa on arrival cost under the new rule? 

A. AED 100 for a 14-day visa (extendable once) or AED 250 for a 60-day single-entry visa (not extendable). Confirm current fees with ICP before travel.

Q. Can I extend the 60-day visa on arrival?

A. No. The 60-day option is explicitly non-extendable per official sources. Only the 14-day option can be extended once.

Q. What happens if I don’t hold a qualifying residence permit? 

A. You’ll need to apply for a standard UAE tourist visa in advance rather than relying on visa on arrival.

Q. Does this apply to family members traveling together?

A.Yes. Accompanying family members of an eligible passport holder qualify under the same conditions.

Q. What’s the overstay penalty if I stay past my visa on arrival’s expiry

A.Reports cite AED 50 per day. So, verify the current figure with ICP before relying on it, as fines are subject to periodic revision.

The UAE visa on arrival 2026 update opens a faster route into the country for six nationalities, but only for those holding the right residence permit. Nationality gets you halfway there; the qualifying permit does the rest. Check both before you book.

Check your UAE visa eligibility.